Adjustable inserted wrench combination tool including link means having plural openings



Jan. 28, 1969 J J sco'r'r 3,424,039

ADJUSTABLE INSERTED wR'ENH COMBINATION TOOL INCLUDING LINK MEANS HAVINGPLURAL OPENINGS Filed March 16, 1967 INVENTOR JOSEPH J. SCOTT YWMLATTORNEY United States Patent 6 Claims Int. Cl. B25b 13/50 ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE The combination tool means comprises a unitary link unithaving first and second openings therethrough each providing a wrenchsocket for receiving a bolt head or nut for tightening or loosening, andfirst and second tool elements for being selectively and removablyreceivable by said link unit through the first and second openings forsecuring together said unit with at least one of said elements inselected relative positions for forming a composite tool. The link unithas a substantially figure 8 configuration with the first and secondopenings providing the sockets extending parallel to each other throughthe unit, the first and second tool elements each comprising an Allentype wrench being selectively receivable by a respective opening of saidunit.

The invention relates to a combination tool means, including a link unitand a pair of wrenches for being secured together by said link unit invarious positions and arrangements for providing a composite tool ofgreat versatility and usefulness.

Although composite tools and tool combinations have previously beenprovided, the present invention provides the combination of elementssuch as standard Allen type wrenches, which may be secured together by alink unit in various positions and configurations for providing a highlyversatile and useful composite tool.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedcombination tool means which may utilize as its tool elements standardwrenches, such as Allen type wrenches, for providing a composite tool ofgreat utility.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedcombination tool means which allows a plurality of tool elements to besecured in various arrangements for providing particular combinationswhich are useful at diiferent times for lvarious purposes, withoutrequiring a great number of specific individual tools for achieving theresults desired.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedcombination tool means, which in addition to providing composite Allenkey tools, also has utility for providing holding means for other tools,including chisels and punches, provides utility as a socket wrench withangular adjustment with respect to its handle, as well as providing useas an adjustable spanner wrench.

The above objects of the invention are achieved by providing acombination tool means comprising a link unit having first andsecondopenings therethrough each for receiving a respective tool element, andfirst and second tool elements for being removably received by said linkunit through said first and second openings for securing together saidunits and elements in select relative positions for forming a compositetool. The unit includes means for engaging or releasably securing saidtool elements therewith, such as a screw which threadedly engages theunit and extends toward an opening of said unit for engaging a toolelement received therein.

The foregoing objects of the invention will become more apparent as thefollowing detailed description of the invention is read in conjunctionwith the drawings, in which FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of thecombination tool means embodying the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken on a line 2--2 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a modified form of combination toolmeans,

FIGURES 4, 5, 6 and 7, are each respective elevational views of thecombination tool means shown in FIGURE 1, with their elements secured invarious arrangements for providing different respective composite tools,

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view illustrating the use of the combinationtool means of the invention as a depth gauge,

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view illustrating the use of the combinationtool means of the invention as an angularly adjustable socket wrench,

vFIGURE 10 is an elevational view illustrating the use of thecombination tool means of the invention as a chisel holder,

FIGURE 11 is an elevational view illustrating the use of the combinationtool means of the invention as an element of the ratchet wrench, and

FIGURE 12 is an elevational view of a modified form of the combinationtool means of the invention illustrating its use as an adjustablespanner wrench.

Like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the figures, FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of acombination tool means 10, embodying the invention. The tool means 10includes a link unit 12, which may be made of a material such as steeland tool elements 14 and 16, which may be Allen type 'wrenches, alsomade of a material, such as steel.

The link unit 12 as shown FIGURE 2 has an elongated or substantialy ovalperiphery 18, with top and bottom portions '20 and 22, and intermediateleft and right side portions 24, 26. The link unit 12 also has front andrear surfaces 28, 30. The top portion 20 of the link unit 12 is providedwith an opening 32 extending through the front and rear surfaces 28, 30,and provided with a hexagonal boundary. Similarly, an opening 34 in thebottom portion 22 of the unit 12, extends parallel to the opening 32,through the front and rear surfaces 28, 30, also having a hexagonalboundary.

The tool element 14 is an Allen type wrench or key, having asubstantially L configuration, providing a short leg 3-8 which extendsperpendicularly to its longer leg 40. The legs 38, 40 of the element 36,each have a hexagonal cross-section dimensioned to be slidably receivedthrough the opening 32 of the link unit 12, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.

The tool element 16, which is also illustrated as an Allen type wrenchor key of smaller size than the element 14, has an L configuration, withits shorter leg 42 extending perpendicular to its longer leg 44. Thetool 16 has a hexagonal cross-section dimensioned to be slidablyreceived within the opening 34 of the link unit 12, as also illustratedin FIGURES 1 and 2. The opening 32, thus is provided with a greatercross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the opening 34 foraccommodating the respectively differently sized cross-sectional areasof the tool elements 12 and 14.

FIGURE 3 illustrates a link unit 12' of modified form, having twoopenings 32' of equal cross-sectional area for receiving therethroughrespective elements 14', each having identical cross sectional areas.The link unit 12' may be otherwise identical to the link unit 12.

The openings 32 and .34 of the link unit 12 extend parallel to eachother and in abutting relationship, so that they share in common oneside of their hexagonal boundaries, and the openings 32 and 34communicate with each other along their common boundary 46.

The link unit 12 is provided with means 48 for securing or retainingeither or both of the elements 14, 16 within the link unit 12. Thesecuring means 48 comprises a screw 50, with a slotted head and anextending end 52 for engaging and clamping the tool elements 14, 16. Thescrew 50 is threadedly received within a threaded opening 53, whichextends centrally through the right side 26, of the unit 12 towards andin a direction perpendicular to the parallel extending direction of theopenings 3.2 and 34. With one or both of the tool elements 14, 16positioned Within and extending through the openings 32, 34 of the linkunit 12, the inward extension of the screw 50 causes same to engage thetool elements 14, 16 in the region of the common boundary 46 of theopenings 32, 34, thereby clamping said tools with the link unit 12 andsecuring the tools 14, 16 at a predetermined relationship to each other.The withdrawal and loosening of the screw 50 allows the removal orrepositioning of the tool elements 14, 16 to any other desiredconfiguration. The means 48 also provides for the clamping by the screw50 of either of the tools 14, 16, extending through its respectiveopening 32, 34 of the link unit 12, in the absence of the other toolelement.

With the tool elements 14, 16 secured together by the link unit 12, asillustrated in FIGURE 1, a composite tool in the form of a double endWrench is provided. Thus, either end or leg 38, 42 may alternately beused for providing respectively a larger or smaller Allen key, while theother end is used as a handle to provide leverage. Of course, thisincreases the utility of either of the tools used independently, andprovides a composite tool of greatly increased usefulness. Although inFIGURE 1 the short legs 38, 42 of the elements 14, 16 are illustrated inparallel relationship to each other, they may be displaced from suchparallel relationship in increments or steps of 30 degrees, as providedby the six sides of the hexagonal cross-section of the elements 14, 16.Of course, this is accomplished by removing one of the tool elements 14,16 from the link unit 12 and reinserting same in the desired angularrelationship and then securing same with the clamping screw 50. It isalso noted, that the extension provided by the longer ends 40, 44 of thetool elements 14, 16 may also be varied by the movement of the legs 38,42 away or towards each other, While the tools are slidably positionedwithin the link unit 12, and then look ing the tools together bysecuring the clamp screw 50.

To further illustrate the great utility provided by the combination toolmeans of the invention, refer to the remaining FIGURES 4 through 12, inwhich FIGURE 4 discloses a composite tool 54, formed by the link unit12, securing together the shorter ends 38, 42 of the elements 14, 16while their longer legs 40, 44 extend colinearly to provide a compositetool with a T handle of increased leverage. The extending end 56 of theelement 14 may be used, by inserting in the head of an Allen bolt orscrew 58 for tightening r loosening same as may be required.

FIGURE 5 discloses the use of the combination tool means to provide acomposite tool 60 in the form of a spin wrench in which the link unit 12secures the shorter leg 38 of the element 14, with the intermediateportion of the longer leg 44 of the smaller element 16, so that thelonger leg 40 of the element 14 is perpendicular to the longer leg 44 ofthe element 16, while being parallel to its shorter leg 42. The end 62of the element 14 may be used for engaging the head of the Allen screwor bolt 58 during the use of the composite tool 50.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the use of the combination tool means 10 forproviding a composite tool 64 in the form of an L wrench in which thelink unit 12 secures the elements 14, 16 together so that they lie inthe same plane with their respective longer legs 40 and 44 extendingaway from each other in perpendicular directions. The ends 68,respectively of the elements 14, 16 may be used for engaging an Allenscrew or bolt of corresponding size, while the other element is used asa handle with added leverage during the use of the composite tool 64.

FIGURE 7 illustrates the use of the combination tool means 10 to providea composite tool 72 in the form of a sliding T wrench, in which the linkunit 12 secures together the longer legs 40, 44, respectively, of thetools 14, 16, while the end 74 is used to engage an Allen bolt or screw,and the shorter legs 38, 42 provide the handle for actuating thecomposite tool 72.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the use of an element 14 or 16 and a link unit 12to provide a depth gauge 76. For the purpose of determining the depth ofan opening 78 in a body 80, the leg 44 is inserted into the opening 78until it strikes the bottom of the opening 82. The link unit 12 is thenslidably moved to engage the surface 84 of the body and secured with theelement 16 by tightening the clamping screw 50. The gauge 76 may now beremoved from the opening 78 and the depth of the opening 78 readilydetermined by measuring the end of the leg 44 beyond the link unit 12.

FIGURE 9 illustrates the use of the combination tool means 10 as acomposite tool 86 in the form of a socket wrench with an adjustablyangularly positionable socket. For this purpose, the element 14 hassecured at the end 88 of its short leg 38, the link unit 12 through itsopening 32, leaving its opening 34 free for receiving the hexagonal head90 of a bolt for actuation by applying a torque to the end 92 of theelement 14. As previously noted, the link unit 12 may be angularlyadjusted in steps of 30 degrees by removing the end '88 and reinsertingsame in the opening 32 to provide a selected angular orientation.

FIGURE 10 discloses the use of the tool means 10 to provide a compositetool 94 in the form of a chisel holder. In this use, the link unit 12secures the element 14 with a chisel 96. The leg 40 of the element 14serves as a handle for retaining and positioning the chisel 96, thechisel being positioned perpendicular thereto, with its chisel edge 98at the bottom.

FIGURE 11 discloses the use of the combination tool means 10 to providea composite tool 100 in the form of an extended wrench for use by aratchet means 102. The tool 100 is provided by the pair of tool elements32 which are secured together by the link unit 12' engaging their shortlegs 104 so that their longer legs 106 extend colinearly in oppositedirections, so that the upper end 108 is engageable by the ratchet means102 and the lower end 110 can be inserted into an Allen screw or boltfor actuation. Thus, the L elements are utilized to provide thecomposite tool 100 for actuation by the ratchet means .102, either ofwhich elements 32 could not be utilized alone for this purpose.

Of course the combination tool means 10 of FIGURE 1 may also beutilized, whereby the size of one of the tool elements 14 is diflFerentfrom the other element 16 secured together by the link unit 12, therebyproviding a composite tool which has a larger hexagonal cross-section atone end than at the opposite end. Such a step-down or a step-up sizerelationship provides great utility and minimizes the number of variouselements and components necessary to provide the tool combinationsrequired in different circumstances.

FIGURE 12 discloses use of the combination tool means 10 including apair of link units 12, a pair of tool elements 14, and a tool element 16to provide a composite tool 112 in the form of an adjustable spannerwrench. The two tool elements 14 are secured respectively by the pair oflink units 12 with a tool element 16 to provide the downwardly extendingparallel legs 114, 116 for having their ends received in respectiveopenings 118, 120 of a body 122, while a torque may be applied to theends 124, 126 for exerting a force on the body 122. The distance betweenthe downwardly extending legs 114, 116 may be adjusted by loosening theright hand link unit12 securing the elements 114 and 116 together andclamping same in the adjusted position, thereby greatly increasing theutility of the spanner wrench provided by the composite tool 112.

In view of the above uses of the combination tool means and 10', onlysome of which are illustrated in detail, as well as the great degree ofadjustability afl'orded by each of the composite tools illustrated, theapplicants combination tool means by using only a few constituentelements provides a large number of adjustable composite tools of greatutility. Of course, it is possible to combine the elements in othermanners not particularly illustrated for further enhancing theadvantages of the disclosed combination tool means, in view of theapplicants disclosure.

While this invention is described and illustrated with reference tocertain specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the inventionis capable of various modifications and applications, not departingessentially from the spirit thereof, which will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination tool means comprises a unitary link unit having firstand second openings therethrough each providing a wrench socket of fixeddimensions for receiving a bolt head or nut for tightening or looseningsame, and first and second tool elements for being selectively andremovably receivable by said link unit through said first and secondopenings 'for securing together said unit with at least one of saidelements in selected relative positions for forming a composite tool,said unit having a substantially figure 8 configuration with said firstand second openings providing said sockets extending parallel to eachother through said unit.

2. A combination tool means comprises a unitary link unit having firstand second openings therethrough each providing a wrench socket of fixeddimensions for receiving a bolt head or nut for tightening or looseningsame, and first and second tool elements for being selectively andremovably receivable by said link unit through said first and secondopenings for securing together said unit with at least one of saidelements in selected relative positions for forming a composite tool,the openings providing said sockets of said unit each having a hexagonalboundary for receiving hexagonal bolt heads and nuts, and said first andsecond tool elements each comprising an Allen type wrench for beingselectively receivable by a respective opening of said unit.

3. The means of claim 2 in which the openings providing said sockets ofsaid unit extend parallel to each other through said unit, and said unitincludes means for re-- leasably securing said elements therewith.

4. The means of claim 3 in which the first and second openings providingsaid sockets of said unit interconnect along one side of their hexagonalboundaries, and the means for securing said elements with said unitcomprises a screw threadedly engaging a third opening of said unitintermediate said unit and extending perpendicular to the paralleldirection of said first and second openings, whereby said screw isextendable to engage said elements at the interconnecting side of theboundaries of said first and second openings for securing said elementswith said unit.

5. The means of claim 4 including a second unit and a third element,said second unit releasably securing said third element with said secondelement for forming a composite tool.

6. In a combination tool means, a unitary link unit for use with one ortwo tool elements having first and second openings therethrough eachproviding a wrench socket of fixed dimensions for receiving a bolt heador nut for tightening or loosening same and selectively receiving arespective tool element therethrough, said openings extending parallelto each other, the first and second openings providing said sockets ofsaid unit each having a hexagonal boundary for receiving hexagonal boltheads and nuts, and said means for releasably securing said elementswith said unit including a screw threadedly engaging a third opening ofsaid unit, the first and second openings providing said sockets of saidunit interconnecting along one side of their hexagonal boundaries, andsaid third opening of said unit extending perpendicular to the paralleldirection of said first and second openings and being intermediate saidunit, whereby said screw is extendable to engage said elements at theinterconnecting side of said boundaries of said first and secondopenings for securing said elements with said unit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 342,824 6/1886 Clark 81-121 X564,625 7/1896 Kelsea 81-121 X 2,3 82,074 8/ 1945 Leisenring. 2,475,2687/1949 Wittle 279--14 2,776,744 1/ 1957 Cook 81-71 X 2,807,179 9/1957Rudd 81177 X 2,878,701 3/ 1959 Weersma 81-71 FOREIGN PATENTS 859,177 1/1961 Great Britain.

MILTON S. MEHR, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 8171; 27914

